Combination envelope and easel for containing and/or framing pictures and the like



H. T. FOX

Aug. 5, 1958 COMBINATION ENVELOPE AND EASEL FOR CONTAINING AND/OR FRAMING PICTURES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1956 IN VEN TOR. flaw/4 ZFox ATTORNEY Aug. 5, 1958 H. 'r. Fox. 2,845,733

COMBINATION ENVELOPE AND EASELFOR CONTAINING AND/OR FRAMING PICTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 12, 1956 j 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent COlVIBINATIGN ENVELOPE AND EASEL FOR CON- TAINiEEAND/ OR FRAMING PICTURES AND Harold T. Fox, Mission, Kans., assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation of Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application December 12, 1956, Serial No. 627,846

Claims. (Cl. lo-152.1)

This invention relates to an envelope for containing and/or framing pictures, photographs and like articles, and has for its principal object to provide an envelope of this character with an easel for supporting the envelope to exhibit the picture or the like contained therein.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a window type envelope with easel forming flaps wherein erection of the easel provides a closure for the insert opening through which the picture or photograph has been previously inserted; to provide an envelope and easel construction which is adapted to contain and support a photograph in vertical or horizontal positions; to provide a window envelope with easel forming flaps that can be easily manufactured on ordinary envelope making machinery; and to provide a simple and easily erected envelope and easel construction.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, improved structure is provided, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a combination envelope and easel constructed in accordance with the present invention and viewed from the'front thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device from the rear, particularly illustrating a modified method of connecting the sealing flap with the prop of the easel.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combination envelope and easel in folded condition, in which it is supplied by the manufacturer to the user.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the method of inserting the photograph and prior to sealing together of the flaps that form the easel and which close the insert opening to retain the photograph.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the combination envelope and easel is formed.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a combination envelope and easel embodying the features of the present invention and which includes a substantially rectangular front panel 2, a back panel 3, and an easel 4, all preferably formed of a single blank 5, illustrated in Fig. 7. The front panel 2 is defined by providing the blank 5 with spaced apart 1ongitudinal and transverse scores 6-7 and 89. Formed within the area defined by the scores is a window opening 10 having opposite edges 11-12 and 13--14 spaced inwardly from the scores to provide a marginal or picture framing portion 15. The portion 15 is preferably lined or otherwise decorated as indicated at 16 to represent the moldings of a picture frame. The back panel 3 is formed by side flaps 17 and 18 which, in the form of the blank 5, extend laterally andoutwardly substantially coextensive with the scores 6 and 7 and which are of suflicient width so that when the flaps are folded 2,845,733 Patented Aug. 5, 1958 over the rear face of the front panel, marginal edges 19 and 20 thereof overlap to be connected together by a stripe of adhesive 21 to form a vertical seam 22. In the illustrated instance, the side flaps 17 and 18 are of the same width, so as to locate the seam 22 in the vertical center of the front panel.

The ends of the side flaps 17 and 28 register with the scores 8 and 9, with the edges 23 and 24 at one end slightly converging toward shaped edges 25 and 26 at the opposite ends of the side flaps, somewhat in accordance with the shape of the side flaps of an ordinary open end envelope (Fig. 7). The shaped edges 25 and 26 preferably curve outwardly and then inwardly in the form of ogee curves 27, whereby the midportions 28 of the edges are inset from the score 9 to facilitate insertion and removal of a picture, photograph, or the like, between the front and rear panels, as later described.

The easel 4 is formed from end flaps 29 and 30 extending outwardly from the scores 8 and 9 of the blank. The end flap 30 has slightly converging end edges 31 and 32 and is of sufficient depth to provide a base portion 33 of the easel and a sealing flap 34 defined by a transverse score 35. The sealing flap 34 is provided with a sealing gum 36 that is dried after application thereof, as in the manufacture of ordinary window envelopes.

The end flap 29 is shaped to provide a closure flap portion 37 for that end of the envelope, and the end edges 38 and 39 thereof converge from the terminals of the scores 6 and 7, whereby the remaining portion of the end flap is of narrower width than the frontand rear panels to constitute a prop portion 40 of the easel. The juncture of the sealing flap portion 37 with the prop portion 40 is defined by a transverse score 41 and the outer transverse edge 42 of the prop portion is parallel with the transverse scores 35 and 41.

The window opening 10 maybe left. open, however, it is preferably covered by a transparent patch 43, preferably of cellophane or similar highly transparent and glossy material. The patch 43 is of sufficient width and length to lap the inner face of the frame portion 15 entirely around the opening 10, and the marginal edges are secured to the frame portion 15 by means of an adhesive.

In most conventional methods of envelope manufacture, the blank 5 thus described is died out of a suitable sheet material, depending upon the quality and finished appearance of the completed article.

One way of applying the patch 43 is -to insert the blanks in a patch applying machine wherein the blanks are fed one at a time to a position where the patch 43 is applied and adhered to the marginal portions of the window framing 15, after which the blanks with the patch applied may be inserted in an envelope folding machine. The side flaps 17 and 18 are folded along the lines of score 6 and 7 and secured together by means of the adhesive 21 which is applied to one of the side flaps. The end flap 29 is then folded along the score 8 and the sealing flap portion 37 thereof is secured across the ends of the folded-over side flaps by the adhesive 44 to com plete closure of threesides of the front and rear panels -2 and 3 in forming'a pocket 45. When the portion.37 of the end flap 29 is sealed, the portion 40 forming the prop of the easel is flat upon the back panel 3. The gum 36 is then applied to the flange 34 and dried. The end flap 30 may then be folded over the free edge 42 of the prop, as shown in Fig. 5. The instructions 48' for setting up the easel are preferably printed on the face side of the end flap 29, as shown in Fig. 5. If desired, the end flap 30 may be left in extended position: and the fold 9 may be made by the user.

When an envelope constructed as described is to be used for containing and framing a photograph or other picture 46, such as indicated in Fig. 1, the envelope is turned as in Fig. 6 and the; end flap 30 is moved backwardly on its line of fold 9 to uncover the insert opening 47, whereupon the picture, photograph, or the like, 46, isinserted into the pocket 45, so that the face side thereof appears through the tranasparent patch 43 and is framed by the framing portion 15 of the front panel 2. The end flap 34 is preferably-folded on the line-35, as shownin Fig. 1. The gum- 36'on the end flap 34 is then moistened, after which the end flap 34 is brought into sealing contact with the inner marginal face of the prop portion 40 with the free edge thereof registering with the edge 42 of the prop to complete the assembly as shown in Fig; 1. This method of connecting the base and prop portions provides a very stable support as the points of'contact with asupporting surface are along the fold 9 and edge 42.

If desired, the end flap 30, having-been folded along the score 9, may be folded upwardly, and after being moistened it may be brought into contact withthe outer marginal face of the prop portion 40 and sealed thereto, as'illustrated in Fig. 2.

After the gum has set, the framed photograph will stand vertically on the base portion of the easel, or it may be turned on the side, as the case may require. When supported on the side, the rearwardly narrowing base portion and the narrow prop portion provide sufiicient tilt to the picture.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the body 48 of the. envelope is of similar construction, but the end flaps 49 and 50 constitute, respectively, only a sealing flap for the top of the envelope portion and a base 51 of an easel. The prop 52 of the easel is formed by an extension 53 of one of the side flaps 54 and is turned laterally from the plane of the side flap 54 for attachment to the base 51 by means ofa laterally extending tab 55 that is formed integrally with the lower edge 56 of the prop 52 and is provided with suitable adhesive to form a seal with the base 51.

When this form of the invention is in flattened condition, the prop 52 and tab 55 lie flat against the back panel with the tab 55 turned inwardly under the prop- 52 and the base 51 is folded over the prop 52.

In using the modifiedform, the base 51 is swung outwardly to expose the insert opening so that the picture or photograph may be inserted into the pocket of the envelope portion 48. The prop 52; and tab 55 are then folded on their lines, of'fold, after which the gum onthe tab portion 55 is moistened and caused to adhere to the base 51, thereby completing the easel and closing the insert opening.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that I have provided a combination envelope and easel wherein a picture, photograph, or the like; is completely retained and protected in a framed condition.

It is also obvious that the invention is easily manufactured on standard envelope machinery at relatively low cost, and after manufacture may be easily andquickly erected by the user. It is further obvious that with the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the top end flap is secured by the adhesive transversely of the back panel to stilfen the holder transversely, and that the portion 29 of the end flap that forms the prop extends from the top flap so that it is stiffened thereby, consequently the structure is particularly adapted for manufacture from relatively thin paper stock and still be serviceable for its intended purpose. Likewise, in the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, the prop 52 projects from the vertical seam and isstilfened by the, lapping of the side flaps and the connection thereof by the adhesive.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A combination envelope and easel including a rectangular front panel having a window opening therein with edges of said opening being spaced inwardly of edges of the panel to provide a frame about said opening, side flaps connected with side edges of the front panel by folds for positioning the side flaps in underlying relation With the front, panel and with marginal edges of said side flaps overlapping in the rear of the front panel, an adhesive securing the overlapping marginal edges of the side flaps together to provide a vertical seam, end flaps connected with end edges of the front panel by folds extending across ends of the side flaps, one of said end flaps having the fold thereof positioning said one flap in overlapping contact with ends of the, side flaps, an adhesive securing the said one end flap to the side flaps to provide a transverse seam, said seams connecting the flaps in providing a back panel which is connected to the front panel by said folds, the other end flap being free of the side flaps to provide an insert opening between the front and back panels when the said other end flap is turned back in one position and to close the insert opening in another position when the said other end flap provides a base of an easel, an extension connected with one of said flaps by a fold to project rearwardly along the seam which is elfected by the adhesive that secures the said flap to provide a prop that isstiffenedby said seam, and means for connecting the prop with the base to complete the easel for said envelope.-

2. A combination envelope as described in claim 1 wherein the extension which provides said prop is connected with the said one end flap and the stiffening seam is the transverse seam.

3. A combination easel and envelope as described in claim 1 wherein the extension which provides the prop is connected with the marginal edge of the outer of said side flaps and the stiffening seam is the vertical seam.

4. A combination envelope and easel including a rectangularfrontpanel having a window opening therein with edges of said opening being spaced inwardly of edges of the panel to provide a frame about said opening, side flaps connected with side edges of the front panel by folds for positioning the side flaps in underlying rela tion with the front panel and with marginal edges of said side flaps overlapping in the rear of the front panel, an adhesive securing the overlapping marginal edges of the side flaps together, a top flap connected with the upper edge of the front panel by a fold for positioning said top flapin overlapping contact with ends of the side flaps, an adhesive securing the said top flap to the ends of the side flaps for cooperating with said side flaps in providing a back panel connected to the front panel by saidfolds, a bottomflap connected by a fold with the lower edge of the front panel and being free of the side flaps to provide an-insert opening between the front and backpanels when the bottom flap is turned back and to close the insert opening when the bottom flap is turned on the fold thereof to a position for providing a base of an easel, an extension connected with said top flap by a fold located below the adhesive which secures the top flap, said extensionbeing adapted to project rearwardly and downwardly from said top flap to provide a prop for connection-with the base, and means for connecting the prop with the base to complete the easel for said envelope;

5. A combination envelope and easel including a rectangular front panel having a window opening therein with edges of said opening being spaced inwardly of edges of the panel to provide a frame about said opening, side flaps connected with side edges of the front panel by folds for positioning the side flaps in underlying: relation with the front panel and with marginal edges of" saidside flaps overlapping in the rear of the front panel, an adhesive securing the overlapping marginal edges of the side flaps together, a top flap connected with the upper edge of thefront panel by a fold for positioning said top flap in overlapping contact with ends of the side flaps, an adhesive securing the said top flap to the side flaps for cooperating with said side flaps in providing a back panel connected to the front panel by said folds, a bottom flap connected by a fold with the lower edge of the front panel and being free of the side flaps to provide an insert opening between the front and back panels when the bottom flap is turned back and to close the insert opening when the bottom flap is turned on the fold thereof to a position providing a base of an easel, an extension connected with said top flap below the adhesive which secures the top flap by a fold to project said extension rearwardly and downwardly from said top flap to provide a prop for connection with the base, a flap extending transversely of the bottom flap, and gum on said last named flap for sealing contact with the prop to complete the easel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

